THE family of Bury toddler Ted Rice cheered on the doctor who diagnosed his life-threatening condition through a Facebook snapshot.

Dr Sara Barton completed Sunday’s Bupa Great Manchester 10k Run and raised £2,000 in aid of the Rainbow Trust, which supports the youngster’s family.

In March, the Bury Times told how four-year-old Ted developed a rash on his face. Worried dad Philip, an anaesthetic assistant at Salford Royal Hospital, sent a picture of it to colleague and friend Dr Barton via the social networking site.

Recognising the rash as a symptom of acute lymphocytic leukaemia, she told Mr Rice to get Ted to hospital immediately. There, the diagnosis was confirmed within hours.

Football-mad Ted, who has a two-year-old sister Pippa, has since had months of daily chemotherapy which will continue for three years. He has lost his hair and needs a wheelchair to get around due to the side-effects of his treatment.

Since Ted was diagnosed, the Rice family have been helped by children’s charity Rainbow Trust whose carers support the families of youngsters with life-threatening or terminal illness. Mr Rice, aged 34, of Brookhouse Close, Greenmount, said the charity’s support has proved a lifeline as they struggle to come to terms with Ted’s illness and the torment of watching him battle a life-threatening disease.

Dr Barton said: “The pain from my blisters was soon forgotten as I set off proudly in my Rainbow Trust running vest. Their help is crucial to Ted and his family and will continue to be needed for the families who have their lives turned upside down by a life threatening illness.”

The whole Rice family came along to support Dr Barton during the run. Nina Markham, fundraiser for Rainbow Trust, said: “Congratulations and thank you to Sara and all of our Rainbow Runners. Each of them ran for their own special reasons but together raised vital funds so that we can continue to provide emotional and practical support to families like Ted’s.”